Coupling



g- 1, 1939- E; s. MILLER 2,168,101

COUPLING Filed July 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor A itomeys E. S. MILLER Aug. 1, 1939.

COUPLING Filed July 29, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor fl/Y/k A tiorneys E. s. MILLER Aug. 1, 1939.

COUPLING .Filed July 29, 1938 4 Sheets- Sheet 3' Inventor Z. JJ/Y/w A itomeys E. S. MILLER Aug. 1, 1939.

Filed July 29, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor Z5. J M///@/ Patented Aug. 1, 1939 UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in couplings and more particularly to a coupling especially adapted for use in conjunction with trailers, and in other instances where a coupling of this character would be required.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a coupling having universal movement and wherein the parts are so related as to substantially eliminate any chance of detachment.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a coupling of the character stated which is constructed of a limited number of parts, but sturdy and not susceptible to the ready development of defects.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the coupling.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the 25 bed.

Figure 4 is a top plan view with a portion broken away of a slightly modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the upper ball section and attaching plate.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 represents the bed plate from which 35 extends a plurality of spokes 6, each of which is provided with a reduced end portion on which rests the annulus I, which of course eliminates any excessive motion of the trailer.

The bed plate 5. is formed with the recess 8 in the bottom of which is the concavity 9 for receiving the lower portion of the ball connector Ill.

The cap structure for holding the ball ID in the pocket 8 and in proper connection with the bed plate 5 is made up of the pair of sections 45 I, each end of these sections being provided with a transversely extending groove opposed to a corresponding groove |2 in the end walls of the recess 8, so that when these grooves of the sections II and wall of the recess 8 are in opposed relation, passageways are defined for the reception of the keys l3 which will fasten the cap plate sections in place and prevent detachment of the ball l0.

The keys l3 are provided with laterally disposed handles |4, each at one end, and these handles can be swung downwardly against the plate 5 so that they will be interposed between one of the spokes 6 and an abutment lug I5 rising from the bed plate 5.

A short neck l6 extends upwardly from the ball ID to connect to the trailer attachable plate H, which is formed with openings l8 through which securing elements can be disposed for securing the plate in place.

The bed plate 6 is also formed with openings l9 through which securing means can be disposed to secure the bed plate to the lead vehicle.

Another form of the invention is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. In this form of the invention the base 20 has elevated laterally extending spokes 2| the outer end of each of which is reduced as at 22 to define a shoulder portion for accommodating the annulus 23 which is secured to the ends of the spokes 2| by screws 24.

At the rear side of the base 20 a ramp 25 is provided. This ramp is in the form of an inclined apron having the side wall portions 26 which extend upwardly and merge with the top of the base 20. The top of the base 20 is provided with the ball receiving socket 21 therein. The top of the base 20 at approximately one-half of the diameter of the socket 21 is provided with the upstanding shoulder 28 which is complementary to the semi-circular upstanding shoulder 29 on the removable spoke 30 which is removable from the annulus 23 by the detachment of the screw 3|. As shown in Figure 4, the inner end of this spoke 30 flares out to form the head 32 which rests on the reduced underlying portion of the base 20 and has its shoulder portion 29 serving in complement with the shoulder 28 the upper portion of the socket2l for holding against displacement the upper ball section 33 which as is shown in Figure 6 is provided with a diametrically disposed channel 34 for receiving the upstanding rib 35 on the lower ball section 36. The upper section 33 of the ball has the shank 31 on which is the attaching plate 38.

Key members 39-39 similar to the keys I3 in Figure 2 extend through certain of the spokes 2| and also through grooves 40 in the side portions of the flared part 32 of the spoke 30 to prevent rising of this end portion of the spoke thus forming the socket for the ball sections 33 and 36 intact. The pins 39 are provided with laterally disposed handles 4|.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the base 2|] has openings 42 therein for the reception of securing elements.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A coupling of the character comprising a bed plate, said bed plate being provided with a recess therein, a ball, structure attachable means on the ball, said ball being disposable in the pocket, a cap plate for embracing the ball and holding the ball in the recess, and detachable means between the cap plate and the bed plate,

invention, what is an annulus, spokes extending from the base to the annulus, one of said spokes being removable and having its inner end constructed to prevent displacement of the ball from the socket.

2. A coupling of the character described comprising a plate, an annulus attached to the plate, said plate being provided with a part socket, a spoke attached at one end to the annulus and provided at its opposite end with a part socket cooperative with the part socket of the plate,

and a structure attachable ball disposed between the said part sockets.

3. A coupling of the character described comprising a plate, an annulus attached to the plate, said plate being provided with a part socket, a spoke attached at one end to the annulus and provided at its opposite end with a part socket cooperative with the part socket of the plate, and a structure attachable ball disposed between the said part sockets, and a ramp extending from the plate at a position underlying the said spoke.

4. A coupling of the character described comprising a plate, an annulus attached to the plate, said plate being provided with a part socket, a spoke attached at one end to the annulus and provided at its opposite end with a part socket cooperative with the part socket of the plate,

and a structure attachable ball disposed between the said part sockets, and detachable connecting means between the annulus and the spoke and between the plate and the part socket end of the 

